Motor-starting switch.



R. C. PATTON MOTOR STARTING SWITCH.

APPLICATION man AUG.5. 1914.

1,232,599. Pafented July 10, 1917.

3 SHEETSSHEET Suva nloz R. c. PATTONL MOTOR STARTING SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED AUG-5. 19H- Pamnwdiuly 10, 1917.

8 tin-4MB? '2' R. C. PATTON.

MOTOR STARTING SWITCH.

' nvmemonmw AUG.5.L9I4. 1,232,599. PatentedJu1y10,.1917.

tion.. It is becaus der normal runmn conditions, the energiz-.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RALPH C. PATTON, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR T0 1) &, W FUSE COM- PANY, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, A CORPORATION OF RHODE ISLAND.

MOTOR-STARTING SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J uly 10, 1917,

Application filed August 5, 1914. Serial No. 555,227.

, fuse to be included in the energizing circuit of the motor for its protection under normal operatirg conditions.

To a 0rd proper protection to the motor running under its normal load, the maximum current-carrying capacity of a fuse included in the motor energizing circuit cannot greatly exceed the-maximum current normally required to operate the motor. But to start the motor from a condition of rest, the amount of current delivered to the motor'must be much larger thanfqthat required for normal running conditions in certain classes of motors from three" to four and in some instances five times as large. Yet that abnormal amount of current delivered through a fusesuch as to afford protection to the motor under normal running conditions would immediately disru t or blow the fuse. On the other hand, if the fuse is of such capacity as to carry the abnormalstarting current, it would not afiord proper protection under normal running conditions. Electric motors, espec1a1lof the type for which the-startingswitc of this mvention is designed, are capable of withstandiii ,without injury for a brief period the a normal or overload current required to start the motor from a state of rest. But should such abnormal current becontinued for a considerable period',-the heat generated would burn out the insulation of the motor with con uent injury or-destrucii this danger that, un-

ing circuit provi ed is made to include fuses of. a maximum capacity reasonably near the-continuous full-load current capac ity of the motor.

Generally, the object of the present invention is to provide a switch for controlling motor circuits adapted to establish an initial or. motor-startin g circuit which will permit current to pass to the motor without traversipg theproteeting fuses and thereupon, with the motor started, to pass the entire normal running current through said protecting fuses connected in the circuit in series. This and other more specific objects are realized by my present invention which may best be more fully explained by reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating'what I.at

present regard as thebest known mechanical ex ression thereof. In said drawin s,

igure 1 is a longitudinal vertica section through an inclosed switch structure embodying the invention; I

2 is a similar view (omittin the inclosing casing)- owing all switch lades in their closed position;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, with the short switch-blades in the closed position and thelong switch-blades in the corresponding open position;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view-on a larger scale than Figs. 1-3with half of the cover broken awag', of a complete inclosed switch structure a apted for use with a three-wire circuit, and the operating handle in its upposition, the same as shown in Fig. 1;

F g. 5 is a sectional detail, on the line 55 of Fig. 4, with parts in elevation" and the operatmghandle in its down-position, the same as shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view, showing the two switch-blades and their associated actuating parts in their relative ositions assumed when the o eratinghan 1e is being actuated in moving 0th switch blades .downward' into engagement with their spring-j aw circuit terminals;

Figs. 7 to 10 are vertical sectional views (some fragmentary) illustrative of the action of means which prevent opening or closin of the cover of the casing with the switch in a closed position, and which also prevent the closing of th'eswitch with the cover open and the s'imultaneousclosing of to its closed position by the usual form of swinging bolt 14 havin -a wing nut. A 111 l5gon the cover depen' s, inthe closed position of the cover, into juxtaposition to a lug.

16 'on the box, permitting a padlock 17 to engage through registering opcnin gs to lock" three sets of parts are the cover closed. Openings through the end walls of the box 10 admit the incoming and outgoing circuit wires. The part cular structure illustrated in the drawings 18 one adapt d to a three-wire circuit, with three sets oi switch mechanisms operated from a common shaft, terminals for three fuses, etc. Changes appropriate to adaptation of the apparatus to two-wire and other forms of circuit will be obvious.

A base block 18 of dielectric material, such as porcelain, is mounted in the box and secured to the. bottom thereof by three screws 19 at one end and three screws 20 at the other end. The three wires leading into one end of the box are secured to three terminals 21, 21, 21, respectively, mounted on one end ofthe block 18; and the three circuit wires entering the other end of the box are joined to three terminals 22, 2 2, 22, respectively, mounted on the other end of the block 18. Two parallel partitions or insulating barriers 23 (illustration of which is omitted in Figs. 2 and 3), preferably formed integrally with the block 18, rise vertically therefrom dividing the upper surfaceof the block into three equal portions, having associated therewith, respectively, the three sets of terminals (21, 22) of the three circuit wires, and; the three 'partsof the three-part Inasmuch as these switching" mechanism.

the same for the re spective wires, a description of one will suflice Terminal 21 is electrically connected to a switch terminal jaw 24 by an extension piece 25 (Fig. 3), these parts being secured in place by a screw 26 prising upward through the base, block.- Screw 26 passes through the end of a conducting strip 27 lying in a oove or recess 28 inthe under face of the lock 18. A similar screw (like 26), passing upward through the other end of strip 27 and. through the-block 1 8, makes electrical connection to a spring-jaw fuseterminal 29 and also secures the same in place at the upper surface of an elevated portion 30 on the upper face of the block 18., A similar fuse-terminal'31is secured in place at the other end of the -elevated por-' 30 by a similar-screw 32 (Fig. 1)

tion which passes upward through amend or a conducting strip 33 lying in a groove 34 on the. under surface of the block 18. A screw 35 passing upward through the other end'of the strip 33 extends the electrical connection to a switch-blade terminaljaw 36 and secures the latter to "the base block; 37' is ,an electric fuse, of the" well-known inclosed type, held at its opposite ends in' the terminals 29 and 31, respectively.

The terminal 22 has an extension strip or plate, 40 against the outer end of which is seated the short arm of an L-shaped piece 41-, and upon the. latter there is seated a U-shaped piece 42; the'three parts are seeurely fastened together by a screw-headed bolt 43 passing upward through block 18.

A. short Switchblade 44 is pivoted between the upper ends of the arms (which are bent toward each other) of the U-shaped piece 42 by a screw-headed pivot pin 45 passing through said arms and switch-blade and also through the upper end of the L- shaped piece 41 into a nut at the outer face of the latter. A spring 46 is anchored at one end by hooking through an opening in the upright art of the L-shaped piece 41, coiled aroun the pin 45 between the U- shaped piece 42 and the L-shaped piece 41, and at itsother end isfastened to a stud 47 on the short switclr'hlade 44 (Fig. 6). As later explained, this spring functions to disengage the short switch-blade from its c0- operating jaw terminal 36 with a snap action after disengagement has been partly effected by movement of the switch handle. 48 is a long switch-blade adapted in its closed position (Fig. 2) to engage its jaw terminal-24.z It is pivoted by a stud 49 to an upright lug 50 rising from the pivoted end of the short switch-blade 44. At 51 the long switch-blade 48 makes a bend to bring it to a position above the edge of the short switch-blade forthe greater part of the length ofthe latter. I

52 is a shaft journaled. in hearings in the side walls of the box 10 and extending through one of said walls to the exterior thereof where it' carries an operating handle or lever 53. 54 is a switch-acting rocker 10o arm fixed to shaft 52 inside the box, there being one such arm for each switch mechanism. 55 is a link or plate pivoted to the outer end of said arm 54 by a screw-bolt 56. A spring 57 anchored at one end to the 105 rocker arm at 5B is coiled about the screw bolt 56 and at its other end anchored to the linkat 59, this spring constantly tending to swing the link 55; cutwardly (away from the snaft 52) on its pivot. A headed stud 110 60 carried by the longswitch-blade 48- works in'an inverted L-shaped slot 61 of 'the link- 55; and similarly 'a headed stud 62carried by the short switch-blade 4.4 worksin a re-- verse L-shaped slot63 of the link 55. The 115 upper short transverseend of slot 61 is at an approximately right, orslightly obtuse angle to the long portion of'said slot, whereas the lower short transverse end of slot 63 is. at an acute angle to the long portion of said 120 slot. And-this is importantto the-action ofthese parts which will be explained in the later description of the operation.

Theshaft 52 also carries, inside the-box, a rocker arm- 7 0 adapted to engage the up- 125 per end of a plunger 71 resting against acciled spring 72, said plunger and spring being housed in a recess 73 bored 'in .an enholds the handle 53 (and incidenta ly of the operating handle 53 where it embraces the shaft 52, overlaps a similar lug 7 5 on the box with the operating handle in the o )6" position of the inclosed switch, where y a padlock, such as 76 (Fig. 1), may be engaged through said lugs to lock the switch in that position.

The operation is as follows:.-

Fig. 1 shows the switch open with the operating handle 53 and the long and short switclrblades 48 and 44 standing in an u right position; and, as before stated, t e parts may be locked in this osition by a padlock such as 76. To close tlieswitch and start a motor connected in the circuit'thereof, the operating handle 53 is moved downwardin the direction of the arrow Fig. lrotating shaft 52, rockin the arm 54 and moving link 55. The switch-blades 44 and 48 do not participate in the movement until the upper ends of the slots 61 and 63 of the link reach the studs 60 and 62, respectively, as shown in Fig. 6; thereupon the continued downward movement of the link swin -both switch-blades downward about t e pivot 45 and in opposition to the resistance of spring 46, until the parts reach the position shown in Fig. 2, with the end-of the short switch-blade 44 in engagement with the terminal jaw 36, the'end of the long switch-blade 48 in engagement with the terminal jaw 24, and the rocker arm 70 hearing against the upper. end of the plunger '71 and compressing the spring 72, as shown in Fi 5. With the parts in this position (Fig. 2%,

the short switch-blade 44, by its engagementwith the jaw terminal 36, establishes a circuit from terminal 22, through switchblade 44 to spring jaw terminal 36, condue-tor strip 33, fuse-terminal 31, fuse 37, fuse-terminal 29, conductor stri 27, to terminal 21. At the same time the ong switchblade 48 establishes a shunt or short circuit around the fuse 37 from the terminal 22, long switch-blade 48, jaw terminal 24, exten sion piece 25, to terminal 21. The 0 erator the other parts of the switch) in this position (Fig. 2) against the reacting pressure of the spring 72 and plunger 71, for the brief period of time necessary to start the motor, and thereupon releases his grip. u on the operating handle. The spring 2 and plunger 71 immediately automatically 'operate to rotate the shaft 52 and elevate handle 53 and the long switch-blade 48 to the position shown in Fig. 3, said blade 48 being carried upward by the link 55 because of the engagement at this time of the stud in the upper transverse end of the slot 61. This automatic movement of the parts'from the position shown in Fig, 2 to that illustrated in Fig. 3, immediately the operator releases his grip upon the operating handle, is especially important, inas' .switch to the position shown in much as it eliminates any reliance upon the operatorto bring the parts to a position in which the motor is protected by the fuse. A careless operator would simply close the ig.2 and forget to bring it to the position shown in Fig. 3, after starting the motor, if that duty were imposed upon him instead of being automatically performed as in the structure described.

With the parts in the position shown in Fig. 3, the short or shunt circuit by way of the long switch-blade 4S'has been opened, the normal energizing circuit for the motor remaining established by way of the short switchblade 44 through the protecting "fuse 37 in series; Furthermore, with the parts in this position (Fig. 3), the spring 57 has swung the link 55 on its pivot 56 to a position to bring the extremity of the short transverse portion of 'the slot 63 into engagement with the stud 62, thus locking the link 55 against downward movement from this positlon, downward pressure upon the link merely tending to force the end of slot 63 tighter against pin 62 in the relationship in which those parts are shown in Fig. 3, and consequently making it impossible to move the handle :53 downward and the long switch-blade 48 into engagement with the terminal jaw 24'from the position of the parts shown in Fig. 3; on the contrary, both switch-blades must be moved to their open position shown in Fig. 1 before the long switch-blade can again be operated to close its short or shunt circuit around the fuse. This is important for several reasons, for example, suppose the fuse has blown and an operative not altogether familiar with the mechanism. is sent to replace the fuse,

and is uncertain as to which way the handle 53 must be moved to open the switch to deaden the, fuse terminals preparatory t0 inserting anew fuse- Taki a chance against his uncertainty, he might if the mechanism permitted) swing the operating handle the wrong way, bringing the long switch blade 48 into engagement with its terminal'jaw and closing the circuit through the motor. Had the motor, for instance, been stalled through a defect in machinery which it is used to'drive,the.m0t01' would likely be seriously injured before the operative could realize the conditions and open the circuit.

But with the link 55'serving to lock the parts against a downward movement of the long switch-blade from the position shown in Fig. 3, theoper'ative could only m'ovethe handle 53 upward to completely open the switch. Such movement of handle 53, followed by opening of the box and insertion of a new fuse, necessitates delay, deliberation and reflection on 'the part of the operator and reasonably assures discovery and rectification of the cause of-the trouble before the handle is again operated to close the circuit. Many other illustrations of a similar nature might be iron to emphasize the in'iportance of this sel docking feature of the mechanism, serving to prevent anyth ng but the correct movement of the parts and thus eliminating the possibility of much destruction of property which might otherwise result from unfamiliarity with such mechanisms or carelessness in the operation thereof.

Upward movement of handle 53 from the position shown in Fig. 3 causes the link 55 to pull upward on stud 62 and blade 44. When the engagement of the said blade and its jaw terminal 36 has thus been some what loosened and relative movement of the 7 parts has brought stud (32 into the long part omitted, but the of,.slot 63, the spring 46 completes the upward movement of blade 44 and its disengagement from the terminal 36 with a snapaction, which is important in providing a quick-break arc-reducin switch.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means which preclude the opening of the cover with the switch closed, and which stillfurther contribute to the safety of operators by making it impossible to close the switch with the cover open, or to close both switch and cover simultaneously. Such means are illustrated in Figs. 7-11; no attempt has been made to show the same in Figs. 1-6, because of confusion with the illustration of other partsof the mechanism that would result. In Figs. 7-10, the switch blades and other parts are purposely ositions of such omitted parts will be rea 1y understood from the position of the operating handle shown-in Figs. 7-10 in'dotted. lines. An arm or interlocking'member 80 dependson the inside of the cover into proximity to the switch shaft 52, and a side flange or lip 81- at the end of said arm is curved concentric to the axis of the shaft in the position-of the parts shown in Fig. -7. Another interlocking member-in the form of an armor lever 82 is fixed on shaft 52 and has at its outer end an enlargement orhead 83 having its-edge curved concentric to the axis of the shaft and adapted incertain positions of the parts to stand over the lip 81, the members 80 and 82. thereby interlocking. A link 84 is pivoted at one end to a lug 85 on the inside of the cover and a-slot inits other end is loosely engaged by astud at the outer an arm 86 fixed to shaft.52.' r

In Fig. 7 the position of operating handle. 53 corresponds to that shown in Fig.- 3, with the long switch blade 48 open and short blade 14 closed, this being the normal running condition of the parts with the circuit closed through fuse 37. In this position the cover is closed and locked by the head 83 of arm 82 standing over and in the path of end of movement of lip 81 of arm 80, as shown in dotted lines Fig. 7. From this Fig. 7, it is apparent that the cover would be similarly locked in the position of the switch parts shown in Fig. 2. In Fig. 8, the switch is open as. in Fig. 1, and the head or enlargement 83 has been moved out of the path of lip 81, so that there is no interlocking of members 80 and 82 to obstruct opening of the cover. In Fig. 9, both the switch and cover are fully opened, the stud on arm 86 engaging the outer end of the slot in link 84, whereby it becomes impossible to operate the handle 53 to close the switch without first closing the cover. Attempt to close the cover and switch simultaneouslv brings the lip 81 into contact with the head 83, as shown in Fig. 10, and hence the switch can- 'nbt be closed until after the cover has first been completely closed.

.I have illustrated and described what I now regard as the preferred embodiment of my invention; but it is to be expressly understood that I do not restrict myself to that particular embodiment, the invention being capable of other embodiments, applications and uses without departing from the principle thereof. Furthermore, while the switching means of the invention are especially designed for use in combination with anelectric fuse, as defined in some of the claims, I do not restrict myself to such use of the switching means in conjunction with a fuse. Y

What is claimed is 1. In an electric switch and fuse structure, the combination of an electric fuse, switching means operable to close a circuit connection around the fuse and to thereafter automatically establish a circuit connection through the fuse with said first-named connection open, and means preventing a succeeding operation of the switching means to close the circuit connection around the fuse until'said connection through the fuse has been opened. a

2. In-an electric switch and fuse structure, the combination of an electric fuse, circuit terminals, switching means operable to connect the terminals'aroundthe fuse and to connect the terminals through the fuse in series with saidfirst-named connection open, said means acting to effect such change of connections without current interruption, and means preventing a succeeding operation of the switching means to connect the terminals around the fuse until said connec tion through the fuse has been opened. a

3. In an electric switch and fuse structure, the combination of an electric fuse, switch:

nection around. the fuse and also to close another circuit connection through the fuse ing means operable to close a circuit conin series with said first-named circuit connection open, said means acting to efl'ectlao change of connections without current interruption, and means preventing a succeedin operation ojthe switching means to reesta 15h said ci'rcuit connection around the fuse untilsaid circuit connection through the fuse has been opened.

series with-said first-named connection open,

"said means acting to effect such change of connections without current interruption,

' and means preventing a Succeeding opera- 'tion of the switching means to connect the terminals around the fuse until said switching means have been operated to open said connection through the fuse.

5; In an electric switch and fuse structure, thefcombination of an electric fuse-circuit ,terminals, switching mcans'operable to connect the terminals around the fuse ands-to "thereupon-- automitically open said first- 2 named connection leaving the terminals con nected throughthe fuse in series,aand means preventing asueceeding operation .of the aswitchin means;,to connect the around e fuse until said means h w-b m- 1 1 11 7 a op and connection' throu 6. Inva'n 'electnc sw1tch','switchmg .means operable to circuit connections by two paths at the same time and-to then open one of said paths leaving the other intact,

' and means preventing asucceeding o rationof-the switchm' ,meansytoreesta lish pened' path unt said closed path has ed," i v electric.

V callyopera le tofopen one-path leaving the s: other j and I means preventing a -o tionof-theswitching means to're'stab" "opened'patl'r until said 'switching'fmean's-havebeen manually actuated to'op'en saidclosed' ath;

8." In" an electric switc two circuit clos- 5 ing switchmembers, actuating meanscommon to, both members a and operable to movev V the same to'their closed position and to then p move-one member I; the other jclosed, and means to prevent T n, 5 closing of tlie-;first-opened member until the to its open position leaving other. member has been moved to its open position.

9. In an electric switch, two circuit closing switch members, 'actuatin means common to both members operab e to close the same and to then successively o'pcn siid members, and means to prevent rcclosing of the first-opened member until the other member has been moved to its 0 en position.

6 10. In an electric switch an fusc struc ture, the combination of an electric fuse, two

'the fuse, actuating means common to said member 2 means reventing actuation of said members means 'for actuating" said swit'c -members, means adapted to automatically open one of matical y opened member withoutfirst openture, the combination of an electric fuse, two switch members one adapted to close a circuit through the 'fuse and the other to close a shunt or short circuit around the fuse, actuating means common to both members operable to close the seine and then open the shunt-circuit member leaving the other closed, and means: to prevent .reclosing of the first-opened member untilthe other member has been moved to'its open position; I1. an electric switch, two circuit closv mg switch members, actuating means common to said members and adapted first to close both members second to open one leavmg the other close and third to also open the other and means reventin actuation of the members from't e-seeon to, the first condition without passing through the third condition. 7 5

'12. Inan electric switch and fuse struc: 35

circuitclosing switch members one adapted to close a circuit ithrough the fuse and the other to closea shunt or short-circuit around members 'and adapted first to closeboth membersl second to ognthe shunt circuit eav n thee erclosed,andthird to also openr emember, and

from 9 second to the first condition-anthout passing throu h thefliird condition.

13. -In'an electric sw1tch,'two circuit closing switch members, manuall operable said swi membersafter both-members have been closed by the manual nieans, and

opened member'until the'o ermember has. been moved to'its opeii-positions ;v

ease of the handle by the operator after both members here been closed, and means reventing reclosin of said auto- 115. ingtheotherclosedmemberh" e 15. V- In an electric switch, two circuit closing switch; members, man'ually operable means including a handle-for actuating said switch members, spring means adapted to be put under tension when said manual means areactuatcd to close the switch mem' hers and to automatically-open one of said switch members upon release of the handle b the operator, and means preventing re-, cosing of said automatically opened mcmher without first opening tns'othcr closed 14.' Inanelectric'switchtwocircuit clos- 2' i ing switch:- memberg manuallyw operable means including. a handlefor actuating said adapted" to, automa'ticall open one of said switchl'members' 7 upon means for actuating said switch members including a handle and a link having slot and stud connections with each of said members, and means adapted to automatically open one of said switch members after both members have been closed by the manual means and to thereby brin the studs and slots into interlocking relationship preventing reclosin of the automatically opened member wit out first opening the other closed member.

17 In an electric switch, two circuit closing switch members, manually operable means for actuating said switch members including a handle and a link having slot and stud connections with'each of said members, and spring means adapted to be put under tension when said manual means are actuated to close the switch members and to automatically open one of said switch members after both members have been closed by the manual means and to thereby bring the studs and slots into interlocking relaof the auto tionship preventing recl'osinfi out first openmatically opened mei'nber wit ing the other closed member.

18. The combination of a two-part casing one of said parts being a cover; a switch in the casing including two movable switch members; means extending to the exterior of the casing to actuate said switch members; and a pivotal locking member associated with one casing part and actuated upon movement of the switch members to interlock with a part on the other casing part with both switch members closed an also with one switch member closed and the other open, thereby locking the cover closed in such positions of the switch members.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' RALPH C. PATTON. Witnesses P. O. BAKER, GEORGE W. STEEBE. 

